Colorectal Cancer Alliance Combats Rising Young-Onset Cases and Wins Webby Award

The Colorectal Cancer Alliance is spotlighting its Never Too Young Taskforce and Project Cure CRC during World Cancer Support Month in August, as colorectal cancer becomes the deadliest cancer in adults under 50. The organization's LEAD FROM BEHIND awareness campaign also received a 30th Annual Webby Award for its public service efforts.

Rates of young-onset colorectal cancer, diagnosed in adults under 50, continue to rise, and three out of four young-onset patients are diagnosed at later stages when the disease is harder to treat. Many patients report misdiagnosis and having to advocate for themselves for months or years before receiving an accurate diagnosis. The Never Too Young Taskforce, made up of patients, survivors, caregivers and experts, drives awareness and advocacy, while Project Cure CRC is accelerating research toward better treatments.

"We don't know for sure why young-onset colorectal cancer rates are rising, but we do know that some young patients' symptoms are missed, concerns are dismissed, and there is a dangerous lack of awareness," said the CEO of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. "The Never Too Young Taskforce is bridging that gap through education and community, while Project Cure CRC is working to find answers faster to save lives."

Key symptoms to watch for include:

• Bleeding – blood in or on the stool, which may appear bright red or make stool appear black and tarry
• Changing bowel habits – new or persistent diarrhea, constipation, or narrower stools
• Persistent abdominal discomfort – cramping, gas, bloating, or a feeling that the bowel isn't fully empty
• Unexplained weight loss or fatigue

The Alliance offers free support through its Helpline at (877) 422-2030, a screening quiz at getscreened.org, young-onset support communities, and the Project Cure CRC adaptive clinical trial platform that matches patients with cutting-edge treatments.

In a separate recognition, the Alliance's LEAD FROM BEHIND initiative received the top award for Best Social in the Public Service, Social Impact & Activism category at the 30th Annual Webby Awards. The Webby Awards, presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, are hailed as the Internet's highest honor. LEAD FROM BEHIND is a series of entertaining videos featuring celebrities breaking the stigma surrounding colon cancer to encourage screening. The initiative was timed to the 25th anniversary of a widely viewed televised colonoscopy and was created in partnership with the creative agency Maximum Effort. It will be honored at the 30th Annual Webby Awards ceremony in New York City on May 11.

"Winning a Webby Award is an outstanding achievement and we are honored to share this triumph with our partners, who are dedicated and tireless proponents of colon cancer awareness," said the CEO. "Colon cancer does not discriminate, so we encourage everyone to get screened."

Colon cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in America. In 2021, guidelines lowered the screening age from 50 to 45, making 20 million more Americans eligible for screening. The Colorectal Cancer Alliance is the largest national nonprofit dedicated to colorectal cancer.